Cobb County voters decide Georgia's fate in tight House and Senate races

Polls in Cobb County opened at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, inviting residents of Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Mableton, Marietta, and Brookhaven to cast ballots in a pivotal midterm election. The Associated Press notes that all 435 seats in the U.S. House are up for grabs, with Democrats needing a net gain of three districts to secure a majority. Republicans can lose no more than two seats to maintain their current advantage, making the margin extremely tight for both parties.

In Georgia, every U.S. House seat is on the ballot, according to Ballotpedia. Voters in the county are deciding the fate of their congressional delegation while also choosing a new governor to succeed Brian Kemp. The state has three U.S. House districts, and the outcome in each will contribute to the national count that determines which party controls the lower chamber. The Associated Press describes the election as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term, with voters struggling with high prices and angry over an unpopular war with Iran.

Georgia's U.S. Senate race features incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff facing Republican Rep. Mike Collins. Ballotpedia indicates that the state voted for Trump in 2024 by a margin of 2.2 percentage points, making it a competitive battleground. Race ratings from Cook, Decision Desk, Inside Elections, and Sabato classify Georgia as leaning to likely Democratic. The outcome of this race is crucial because Democrats need a net gain of four seats in the Senate to achieve a majority, while Republicans can lose only two to keep their 53-seat advantage.

The governor's race in Georgia is also a key contest, with Republican health care executive Rick Jackson facing Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. This is an open seat as no incumbent is running. The Associated Press notes that Democrats hope to hold a majority of governorships for the first time in two decades, a goal they have not achieved since 2010. The result in Georgia will be part of the 36 governorships decided in this election, where Republicans currently hold 26 offices and Democrats hold 24.

Nationally, the Associated Press reports that more than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing the early vote of four years ago in many closely watched states. Poll hours vary by state, with Georgia polls closing at 7 p.m. local time. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote, according to USA.gov. The U.S. Postal Service added hours, staff, and special lines to ensure mail ballots are counted on time, a measure designed to reduce delays in reporting results.

Financial stakes are high for both parties, with the 2026 elections likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees outraised and outspent Democratic committees, helped by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk, according to the Associated Press. However, at the candidate level, Democrats outraised their opponents. Eighty-eight.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts Trump won in 2024, including more than $850 million where he won by 10 points or more, based on AP analysis of AdImpact data.

The mood among voters is shaped by economic concerns. AP-NORC polling shows that 35 percent of U.S. adults approve of Trump's job performance, while only 25 percent approve of his handling of the economy. About 7 in 10 Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction. James Moore, a 57-year-old librarian in Raleigh, North Carolina, told the Associated Press, "I'm paying more taxes. I'm paying more for my healthcare. I'm paying more for everything." This sentiment is resonating with voters in Cobb County and across the state.

Republicans are bracing to lose the House and fighting to hold the Senate, while Democrats are cautiously optimistic. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated, "Everything depends on turnout. If we turn out our voters, we win, and that's what we've been planning for." DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene countered, "The American people are angry. They want change." The Associated Press says one or two seats could tip either chamber, making the race for control of Congress extremely close.

Trump held dozens of rallies, ending Sunday in Salina, Kansas, where he told voters, "I really want you to pretend I'm on the ballot." His schedule included stops in Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. Many Republican candidates kept their distance from the president, according to the Associated Press. Trump has continued to make claims about voting fraud, including that noncitizens vote in large numbers, and his administration sued in Alaska and California. Democrats fear interference and intimidation as the Justice Department threatens to prosecute local election officials.

A federal judge on Monday temporarily barred the Trump administration from carrying out a plan it says would prevent noncitizen voting, according to Reuters. Critics say the plan risks disenfranchising eligible voters and infringes on states' authority over elections. A judge also ordered the administration to stop demanding that California election officials segregate ballots cast by people on its lists of suspected noncitizens. These legal moves are part of a broader effort to influence the election process, which has heightened tensions ahead of Tuesday's vote.

Wall Street is watching for more than just control of Congress, with Reuters noting that results could add to investor concerns about AI spending and debt ceiling negotiations. If Democrats win even one chamber, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries would be the first Black speaker and has outlined a 100-day agenda on the cost of living and oversight. A strong Democratic night would boost potential 2028 candidates Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg, and could complicate Vice President JD Vance's path.